George H.W. Bush in hospital through Christmas

Former President George H.W. Bush, who was taken to hospital on Tuesday due to breathing difficulties, will remain in the hospital through Christmas Day.

A spokesperson for the former president said on Christmas Eve “President Bush had a good day and his prognosis remains very positive. He will remain at the Houston Methodist Hospital tonight as a precaution.”

Aides stressed this hospitalization is different from what the former president faced two years ago when he had to spend two months, including Christmas, hospitalized after suffering bronchitis and a persistent cough.

While suffering from a form of Parkinson’s disease that confines him to a wheelchair or a scooter, the elder Bush has been active recently. He jumped out of a helicopter to celebrate his 90th birthday in June and participated in the coin toss at a Houston Texans professional football game last month. There he showed up on the “Kiss Cam,” which captured him and his wife, Barbara, smooching. He also appeared last month with his son at an event to unveil his new book, “41: A Portrait of My Father.”